There are many components to your hiking boots that will be extremely important. We often talk about the importance of a solid sole, waterproof lining, comfort, and durability, among other things.
But one thing that a lot of people forget to look at when buying hiking boots is the quality of the laces. All hiking boots come with laces, but not all of these are as good quality as you might hope. However, the good news is that you can replace these with some of the strongest boot laces available.
In this article, we are going to be looking at some of the very best strong boot laces for hiking boots and giving you all of the information you will need to find the best pair.
Why Do Laces Make A Difference?
It would be easy to assume that the boot laces are one of the least important parts of your hiking boots, but there are many reasons why paying attention to your laces can make a massive difference.
Primarily, changing the boot laces on your hiking boot can drastically alter the appearance. If you want to make a statement with your boots and show off your style then a brightly colored pair of laces can make the world of difference.
We have written a more in-depth piece about laces, particularly those that are red. But in a nutshell, red laces are a staple of a traditional pair of hiking boots. Unfortunately, while this color used to come as standard in almost all hiking boots, modern boots do not always have this feature. For this reason, you might want to swap your laces purely to fit in with the age-old trend.
However, from a practical point of view, your hiking boot laces have a lot to live up to. For starters, you need a pair of laces that are strong. When you think about how they are constantly being tied and untied, you can appreciate the stress that they go under. What’s more, when they are pulled during each tie, the strain could serve as a way of weakening the laces, which, over time, might fray or snap.
Convenience of Good Laces
The last thing you want when out on a hike is for your boot laces to break leaving you with shoes that are not comfortable or supportive.
These are two more aspects that you should think about when questioning the importance of good laces.
As you secure your laces, they will strap your foot in place inside the shoe. Have you ever worn a pair of shoes with the laces loosely tied or not tied at all? If you have then you will understand how flimsy this feels, it is definitely not supportive.
Hiking boots must keep the foot secure as this will prevent foot fatigue and injury; your laces place an integral role in this. What’s more, when the laces are supporting your feet, your tootsies will feel much more secure.
Furthermore, you will notice that when you are wearing a good set of laces in your boots, they will not repeatedly come undone. There are some laces whose material is too slippy to be useful and each step you take will loosen the tie until the laces unravel entirely. This is not only hugely inconvenient but a great way to put additional and unnecessary strain on the laces. Even some of the strongest boot laces would have trouble if they needed to be laced up several times on one hike. Fortunately, these designs typically feature materials that will stay tied until you are ready to remove the shoe.
The Strongest Boot Laces For Hiking Boots
Now that you understand the importance of a strong and reliable pair of laces for your hiking boots, it is time to explore some of the great products that are available. We have tried a lot of boot laces but these three always perform as we would expect and then some!
1. GREATLACES Heavy-Duty Pro Tough
These are some of the most durable and well-made boot laces currently on the market. They come in the classic red design which is synonymous with quality and style where hiking boots are concerned.
They have an extra-wide diameter which gives you full confidence that they will stand the test of time and won’t let you down. At 54 inches/134cm these laces are long enough to fit most hiking boots so you will also feel confident when buying.
They are designed for speed lacing. The last thing you want when you are getting ready to hit the trails is having to mess around with laces that take an age and a day to tie.
These laces are made from a polyester blend which is strong enough in itself but when you learn that they are reinforced with Kevlar, you can appreciate just how durable they are. This material is known for its resistance and longevity and when used in laces, it will deliver the promise of a no-break pull.
If all of that wasn’t enough, the laces offer superior comfort, particularly across the instep where some laces can cause a great deal of friction.
2. GREATLACES Heavy-Duty Pro Tough Flat
If you prefer a flat lace then these from GreatLaces are an excellent alternative to the previous ones we looked at. They come in a choice of six colors so if you are looking for a way to express your style then they have got you covered.
These ones are also many using a polyester blend and come with the reinforced Kevlar stitching that we see in the round laces. The material is super-soft yet incredibly durable, so you are getting the best of both worlds.
The flat design makes them much easier to lace, so you can get your boots on and get onto the trail without hanging around. The design also makes them very comfortable, especially in that all-important instep area.
The laces are 8mm wide and feature a 2mm tip which makes them compatible with almost all hiking and works boots; they’re nothing if not diverse!
But what is most exciting about these laces is that they won’t need to be replaced for a very long time. Not only are they durable beyond all imagination but they are also anti-fade. No matter how many times you run them through the washing machine, they will remain bright and radiant.
3. Danner Unisex Adult 63” Shoelaces
Danner is well-known and respected for creating some excellent hiking boots and these laces are made with those boots in mind. That being said, they can also be used with other brands to reinforce the support and comfort that you would expect from a pair of quality hiking boots.
The choice of colors is amazing, with 11 in total. For anyone who wants style as well as strength, you won’t be disappointed with these. The premium laces also have a world of practicalities that make them an ideal choice where strength and durability are concerned.
They are designed to fit most hiking boots with 18 eyelets, nine on either side. That being said, they can be used with fewer eyelets but they will be longer so this is a factor to consider.
The texture of these laces is ideal for making sure that once tied, they stay that way and when you look at what people are saying, it is clear to see that this concept works.
The laces are long-lasting and will stand up to whatever you put them through making them an ideal choice for those who get a lot of wear out of their hiking boots.
How To Determine The Correct Lace Size
One of the worst things that can happen is that you order a pair of bootlaces that are strong, durable, and stylish only to find that they are the wrong length. If they are too short, you will find that they may not lace all the way through the boots. Conversely, if they are too long, you may end up tripping on them and injuring yourself; that’s the last thing anyone wants when they are on a long hike.
However, finding the right size is easy when you know what you are looking for. Before you commit to buying a pair of laces, you should consider the following factors to ensure that the size is perfect.
- The distance between each of the eyelets.
- The number of eyelets, or the number of pairs.
- Your personal preference on how much lace you would like left over for tying.
- The style of the lace.
With all of these factors combined, you will be able to find a lace that fits. Another great tip for determining the exact length is to use a piece of string to replicate the laces and tie this through your boots. Cut the string to the right length and measure this; that’s the length of lace that you will need.
What To Look For In Boot Laces
The laces we have looked at in this article are all extremely strong; that is what we love about them. Durability and strength are two of the most crucial factors to consider when you are buying a new set of laces. But of course, these are not the only things that you will need to think about.
Flat vs Round
You will notice that, in the main, there are two types of boot laces; flat and round. A lot of this will hang on your personal preference but there is a clear difference between the two. Flat laces are not typically found on hiking boots because they are known to be slightly less durable than their rounded counterparts.
That being said, there are some exceptionally strong ones out there, like the GREATLACES (amazon link) flat laces that we have looked at. Furthermore, flat laces are a lot more casual, aesthetically speaking. This is why they are often seen in running shoes and casual sneakers.
Style And Design
We have talked about red laces being traditional for hiking boots but in truth, any color will work well. Changing your laces is a great way to switch up the look of your boots and show off your style.
Many boot laces come in a choice of colors, some even have patterns giving you the chance to sport a brand new, exciting look.
Tying
Once you have tied your laces, you want to feel assured that they won’t keep unraveling. Not only is this hugely inconvenient but it could serve as a tripping hazard.
You should consider the type of material that has been used and its texture. Anything that is too slippery may untie easily.
Conclusion
Hiking boots are specially designed to be long-lasting, comfortable, and protective for the feet but one of the features of the boots that are often overlooked is the laces.
All hiking boots come with a set of laces, some are good and some are not so good. However, over time, you will probably need to replace them and there are many choices out there.
Choosing new laces might not seem like a challenge at first thought but there are some things that you should look out for. Primarily, you want your laces to be strong and our selection of the strongest boot laces will help you keep your hiking boots secure and comfortable.
You May Also Like
